CLICK ON THESE IMAGES IF YOU WISH TO ENLARGE THEM. EXCEPT FOR THE BLACK AND WHITES, THEY ARE, HOWEVER, NOT IN THE BEST FOCUS.
In anticipation of this afternoon’s televised rugby internationals, and not wishing to spend viewing time squinting through a camera viewfinder, I scanned a few colour negatives from October 1992, filmed during Sam’s Newark Under 13 rugby versus Melton.
A red-faced, wild-haired, Sam is at the back of the group in blue and white jerseys, his head above the ball.
He’s the one with the chunky legs.
This time he battles to hang on to the ball.
This lad has just received it
and sets off under siege.
Now Warren plays his customary role of battering ram as he charges into the opposition;
having broken through, he is lined up for a tackle. Will the tackler bring him down?
Should anyone desire a glimpse of me in my playing days
here are a couple of shots taken by Jessica. I was playing for Old Whigiftians in about 1982. More information appears in ‘Eureka’.
I watched the game between Wales and Georgia, and recorded the other two matches, because we will soon be travelling to Christchurch to attend the Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations of Vicki and Barrie Haynes. Unfortunately I kept dozing off during the second half of the match, but woke up to witness the last bizarre quarter of an hour.
That is so cool to see you in your playing days!!
Many thanks, Lynn
I can see where Sam got his wild hair and vigorous playing style from 🙂
🙂 Many thanks, Pauline
Whow! If I’d seen that big hairy mongrel running at me I would have stopped, bowed and handed him the ball and said “Thanks.” Anyway I never played that game. The closest we ever got was British Bulldog on the school oval with ALL two hundred boys playing.
Gosh, I remember British Bulldog, too. Thanks a lot, Paol
Is bulldog what we called bullrush? All 400 on the bottom field at boarding school after dinner before the final study!
Probably
That’s very undefined! No wonder I was never that good at cryptics – although they did fill in many a holiday at the beach!
How lovely for you to have those set of photos. Doesn’t he look like you. All the best Derrick. Karen
Very many thanks, Karen. He does, rather.
All your boys bear the indelible Knight stamp!
Blast from the past. Great action shots. Loved these. Thanks for sharing them Derrick.
Many thanks, Miriam
Great series Derrick, thoroughly enjoyed seeing the passion of play with the young ones. Sam was quite wild out there.
Many thanks, Mary
I agree with the others – Sam does look like you! I love the action shots.
Thanks very much, Clare
My goodness, you certainly looked enthusiastic. Bill says the dark guy in the striped jersey in front of you looks like himself in his under14 days.
Thanks a lot Gwen. We were all younger then 🙂
I was so so engrossed in watching Sam’s manoeuvres I was taken aback when you cut to 80s. The monochrome sets the mood perfectly—thanks for the time travel: you look fabulous!
Very many thanks, Uma
You could be a sports announcer if you ever give up social work 😉
🙂 Many thanks, msw
It’s wonderful that you have the photos of both you and Sam.
I laughed at Jackie’s comment. 🙂
Also, and you dozing off during the game but waking up for the finish. That’s what my husband does all the time.
🙂 Thanks very much, Merril
Absolutely precious photographs! Now just wait for your grandchildren to start playing 🙂
🙂 Thanks Inese. Soccer, I’m afraid
🙂
These are priceless photos, Derrick. It looks like a fun sport to watch. 🙂
Many thanks, Lavinia. I think so
I agree with the others: the photos are indeed priceless!
Did you have much trouble with injury? Not much protection with those uniforms
Two broken fingers and a permanently damaged shoulder. Not bad for more than 30 years on the field. Many thanks, Laurie
30 yrs! Wow. And yes, I suppose the injuries could have been worse …
I see you were a forward, what spot were you in a scrum.
I played a couple of games where I was the hooker, and wasn’t very happy, before finding my niche as Full Back, I mightn’t have been the biggest and toughest, but I had the courage needed for that spot.
Courage, indeed, Brian. I was in the second row – in my day, and at my level, usually the biggest. I never had the acceleration or the speed for anything else. Thanks a lot.
I always had the idea you played in the backs, with all your mentions of running. You have my sincere apologies for this unintentional slur. 🙂
I should think so, too. You are forgiven, Quercus. Many thanks
🙂 I am contrite.